Utah State Ends Four Game Losing Streak With Win Over Air Force

LOGAN, Utah – Utah State ended a four game losing streak thanks to a stellar performance from quarterback Cooper Legas, defeating Air Force 34-27.

Cooper Legas put together a stellar performance in his first start in front of the Utah State home crowd. Legas finished 18-for-23 with 215 yards and two touchdowns through the air while adding 76 yards on the ground.

Play time is over ‼️

#1-0 pic.twitter.com/stJ5RbQbMD

— USU Football (@USUFootball) October 9, 2022

“We played really well in all three phases. With the exception of just a couple of mistakes along the way, played about as good as we could,” head coach Blake Anderson said following the victory.

Calvin Tyler Jr. got the bulk of the carries out of the backfield, finishing with 109 yards, his third 100-yard game of the season. Tyler Jr. scored his first touchdown of the year in the third quarter.

Brian Cobbs finished with his best game as an Aggie, securing eight balls for 136 yards and his fourth touchdown of the season.

Defensively, Ajani Carter forced a fumble and picked off a pass to give the defense a spark with Air Force challenging them all game long.

“Guys slowed down and did our jobs tonight. It feels good,” Carter said following the win.

Utah State ‘limited’ a high-powered Air Force rushing attack to 264 yards on the ground. The Falcons finished with 95 passing yards on the night.

With the win, Utah State moves to 1-1 in the Mountain West and sit fourth in the Mountain division, behind Wyoming (4-3, 2-1), Colorado State (1-4, 1-0) and Boise State (3-2, 2-0).

First Quarter

After forcing an Air Force punt on their first possession, the Aggies methodically marched 72 yards with Cooper Legas capping the Aggies opening drive with a 31-yard scoring strike to Brian Cobbs in the back of the end zone.

It was the fourth touchdown grab of the season for Cobbs and the third touchdown for Legas. Each of Legas’ touchdown passes this season have gone to Cobbs. Calvin Tyler Jr. ran like a man on a mission on the drive, picking 31 punishing yards on five carries.

Dimes ONLY from @cooperlegas! pic.twitter.com/Ip4dQ8DQL2

— USU Football (@USUFootball) October 8, 2022

Air Force answered with a touchdown drive of their own on the following possession. Brad Roberts busted loose for a 30-yard gain on the drive. The big play put Air Force in the red zone. Five plays later Roberts crossed the goal line with a one yard plunge to tie the game 7-7.

Connor Coles added a 30-yard field goal as Utah State took a 10-7 lead into the second quarter.

Second Quarter

On the Falcons first possession of the second quarter, it was a 9:16, 17-play drive that ended with a quarterback sneak from Haaziq Daniels from one-yard out. Daniels attempted just one pass on the drive. The touchdown gave Air Force their first lead, 14-10 with 7:02 left in the half.

Utah State had a promising drive building with Legas finding Cobbs three times for 58 yards before the Aggie offense stalled in the red zone. Coles connected on his second 30-yard field goal to make the score 14-13.

ANOTHER ONE🙌

⚡️ @ColesKicking good for another 30 yards!

📺 @FS1 #AggiesAllTheWay pic.twitter.com/SiQjFZe5ab

— USU Football (@USUFootball) October 9, 2022

On the Aggies final drive of the half, Legas lofted a questionable throw in to double coverage, resulting in the first turnover of the game for either team. Air Force ran out the half, taking a 14-13 lead into the locker room.

Third Quarter

The Aggies came into the game having committed the most penalties in college football but were able to limit that to just three penalties for 30 yards in the first half.

On the first drive of the third quarter, two flags, including a personal foul against freshman offensive lineman Weylin Lapuaho, forced Utah State to punt from their own end zone.

Following the punt, Air Force used a fourth down punt fake to get in field goal position. Matthew Dapore hit the 40-yard field goal to give the Falcons a 17-13 advantage.

Aggie Defense holds Air Force to a field goal, AF leads USU 17-13, 7:59 left in the 3rd quarter#AggiesAllTheWay

— USU Football (@USUFootball) October 9, 2022

With Air Force in front by four, the Aggies mounted a 13-play drive that included a fourth down conversion and was capped off by a 21 yard Calvin Tyler Jr. rushing touchdown.

Fourth Quarter

Following the USU touchdown, Amari Terry got free due to what the Aggie coaching staff thought was a pick play, but went uncalled, resulting in a 40-yard scoring strike from Daniels.

Utah State answered with a 75-yard touchdown drive that ended when Terrell Vaughn to a Legas shovel pass 34-yards to the end zone.

The Aggie defense stepped up on Air Force’s next drive when AJ Carter forced a fumble and Andre Grayson came up with it.

BALL DON'T LIE‼️

📺 @FS1 #AggiesAllTheWay pic.twitter.com/ecwUMjSiBs

— USU Football (@USUFootball) October 9, 2022

Following the fumble recovery, Legas needed just three plays before he found the end zone on a 32-yard scoring run. The touchdown gave the Aggies a 34-24 lead.

COOPER LEGAS KEEPS IT FOR 7🤫😤

📺 @FS1 #AggiesAllTheWay pic.twitter.com/3QMOxeWJYd

— USU Football (@USUFootball) October 9, 2022

The second turnover of the day forced by the Aggie defense, an interception by Ajani Carter allowed the Aggies to burn some additional clock, preventing Air Force from making a comeback.

The Falcons added a late field goal but Justin McGriff recovered the onside kick to ice the win for Utah State.

Up Next

Utah State (2-4, 1-1) heads out on the road for their next two games. Next weekend the Aggies will be in Fort Collins, Colorado to face the Colorado State Rams (1-4, 1-0). The Rams are coming off of their first win of the season, a 17-14 conference win over Nevada.

Every Utah State football game can be heard on the KSL Sports Zone with Scott Garrard and former Aggie quarterback Kevin White on the call.

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